Dani Alves has told Sport that ‘every team’ in the world should have players of the calibre of Ronald Araujo, as Arsenal reportedly eye a transfer and Barcelona discuss a new contract.
The Brazilian has got a close-hand look at the Uruguayan since returning to the Camp Nou in November. Xavi Hernandez made his fellow Blaugrana icon his first signing after taking over from Ronald Koeman in November. He has since played 10 games in all competitions.
Of the right-back’s appearances, eight have come beside Araujo, while keeping three clean sheets – including shutting out Real Madrid. Araujo started El Clasico, unlike Alves, as he is a mainstay of the Catalan giants, making 35 outings so far this term and striking four goals.
Araujo’s latest hit came while playing in Alves’ position at the Santiago Bernabeu to double Barcelona’s lead. The Camp Nou hierarchy now hope to extend his contract at the club and are close to getting the 23-year-old to put pen to paper, as his current deal lapses in 2023.
Dani Alves feels ‘every team’ should have Arsenal target Araujo of Barcelona
According to Mundo Deportivo, Araujo has agreed to sign a contract to 2026 and boost his release clause to €1bn (£835m). Offers for moves to the Premier League failed to persuade the defender to leave Spain, despite the lavish riches that are available for him in England.
Arsenal were among the sides keen on a transfer for Araujo, who Sport claim has a €200m (£167m) clause in his current Barcelona contract. ABC report the Gunners and Manchester United are ready to pay him more than €8m-a-season (£128k-a/w) to ditch the Camp Nou.
A transfer from Barcelona to Arsenal for Araujo come the summer transfer window is very unlikely now, though. And Alves will no doubt be overjoyed to see him stay, having hailed Araujo as a captain-calibre centre-half any team in the world would be delighted to boast.
“He is an essential type of footballer in a squad,” he said. “Every team should have players of his profile. People with strength, character. It comes naturally to him to be like that. He can be a great leader within the locker room in the reconstruction process.
“When veterans leave for a while, people like him will have to take a step forward. In a team, it is very important to have players like Ronald. In football, not everything is dressing short and going out to play. It takes something more to create a good atmosphere.”
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